Novi celebrates an original, Chief BeGole

Thirty-seven-year Novi reserve firefighter Larry Reisuer (right) greets Lee BeGole at his July 2 birthday celebration. Reisuer worked with BeGole for many years when he was in charge of Novi’s fire department.(Photo11: JOHN HEIDER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)Buy Photo

BeGole celebrated his 95th birthday this Fourth of July, and to honor this momentous day the city of Novi, Rotary Club and many other community members, both young and old, stopped to say thank you and recognize him for all that he has done for Novi.

At its June 22 meeting, City Council presented BeGole with a special proclamation on behalf of the citizens of Novi.

"As a special thank you for the contribution you have given us merely by being yourself," Mayor Bob Gatt said to a very appreciative BeGole.

Then again on July 2, the Novi Rotary Club held a birthday party for BeGole, who is a founding member of the club. The party was held at the United Methodist Church and was well attended by many notable community members such as former mayors and police officers, Bob Anderson (the Novi Rotary's original president) as well as many friends.

BeGole was stunned by the reception.

"I'm astonished at this turnout," he said of the party. "It seems like everyone in Novi is here."

Born and raised in Detroit, BeGole went on to college and graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a pre-law degree, and in 1952 he graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law. He first began his service during World War II and then later with the Wayne County Sheriff's Department.

It was in 1954 that he first came to Novi and helped form the fledgling police department organization, serving alone initially and then adding three or four officers later on. BeGole was the city's original director of public safety. Gatt said BeGole was a dedicated law enforcement officer who served the city for decades.

He actually hired Gatt as a police officer, which the mayor said he was grateful for the opportunity. BeGole established the high standards followed in the department that stand today. In 1991, Novi dedicated its police station to BeGole for his long service.

"Lee BeGole was the head of a family, and that is what the police department is -- a family," Gatt said.

For many years, Gatt said BeGole bore the brunt of the patrol duties by himself, and, in fact, he worked as both a police officer and a firefighter at first. The fire department was completely volunteer, so when a fire call came in, BeGole would drive the fire truck to the scene so the volunteer firefighters could go directly there.

"It seemed like I was on duty seven days a week, 24 hours day," BeGole said with a smile.

A lot has changed in Novi since he first arrived and he said he couldn't dream the way it has grown and flourished over the years.